Tobe Hooper obit

Tobe Hooper, ‘Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ and ‘Poltergeist’ Director, Dies at 74

He was not on the list.

Tobe Hooper, the horror director best known for helming “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” and “Poltergeist,” died Saturday in Sherman Oaks, Calif. He was 74.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office said it was reported as a natural death.

The 1974 “Texas Chain Saw Massacre” became one of the most influential horror films of all time for its realistic approach and deranged vision. Shot for less than $300,000, it tells the story of a group of unfortunate friends who encounter a group of cannibals on their way to visit an old homestead. Though it was banned in several countries for violence, it was one of the most profitable independent films of the 1970s in the U.S. The character of Leatherface was loosely based on serial killer Ed Gein.

Hooper also directed the 1986 sequel “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2,” which took a more comedic approach, as part of his Cannon Films deal.

The 1982 “Poltergeist,” written and produced by Steven Spielberg, also became a classic of the genre. The story of a family coping with a house haunted by unruly ghosts starred JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson. The film was a box office success for MGM and became the eighth-highest grossing film of the year.

After “Poltergeist,” Hooper directed two movies for Cannon Films, “Lifeforce” and “Invaders from Mars,” a remake of the 1953 alien movie.

His 1979 CBS miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s bestselling novel “Salem’s Lot” is considered by many fans to be a high-water mark in televisual horror. Combining the intrigue of a nighttime soap opera with the gothic atmosphere of a classic horror film, the two-part program was eventually reedited and released theatrically throughout Europe.

He continued working in television and film throughout the 1990s and 2000s, but none of the films had the impact of his early works. His last film, the 2013 “Djinn,” was set in the United Arab Emirates and produced by Image Nation. His other more recent works included “Toolbox Murders,” “Mortuary” and two episodes of “Masters of Horror.”

Among his other works was the music video for Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself.” In 2011 he co-authored a post-modern horror novel titled “Midnight Movie” in which he himself appeared as the main character.

Willard Tobe Hooper was born in Austin, Texas and taught college before starting out in documentaries.

He is survived by a son.



Filmography

Film

Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes Ref.

1969 Eggshells Yes Yes No

1969 Peter Paul and Mary: The Song Is Love Yes No No Documentary film

1974 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Yes Yes Yes Co-written with Kim Henkel

1977 Eaten Alive Yes No No

1981 The Funhouse Yes No No

1982 Poltergeist Yes No No

1985 Lifeforce Yes No No

1986 Invaders from Mars Yes No No

1986 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 Yes No No Also wrote music

1990 Spontaneous Combustion Yes Yes No

1990 I'm Dangerous Tonight Yes No No Television film

1993 Night Terrors Yes No No

1993 Body Bags Yes No No Television film; co-directed with John Carpenter

1995 The Mangler Yes Yes No Co-writer

1999 The Apartment Complex Yes No No Television film

2000 Crocodile Yes No No

2004 Toolbox Murders Yes No No

2005 Mortuary Yes No No

2013 Djinn Yes No No



Television

Year Title Director Writer Notes Ref.

1979 Salem's Lot Yes No Miniseries

1987 Amazing Stories Yes No Episode: "Miss Stardust"

1987 The Equalizer Yes No Episode: "No Place Like Home"

1988 Freddy's Nightmares Yes No Episode: "No More Mr. Nice Guy"

1991 Haunted Lives: True Ghost Stories Yes No Episode: "Ghosts R Us/Legend of Kate Morgan/School Spirit"

1991 Tales from the Crypt Yes No Episode: "Dead Wait"

1995 Nowhere Man Yes No Episode: "Turnabout" / "Absolute Zero"'

1997 Dark Skies Yes No Episode: "The Awakening"

1997 Perversions of Science Yes No Episode: "Panic"

2000 The Others Yes No Episode: "Souls on Board"

2002 Night Visions Yes No Episode: "Cargo" / "The Maze"

2002 Taken Yes No Episode: "Beyond the Sky"

2005–2006 Masters of Horror Yes No Episodes: "Dance of the Dead"; "The Damned Thing"